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If there’s one place to witness Africa’s future unfolding in real time, it’s Nigeria’s bustling economic hub, Lagos. Earlier in the month, Beyond Limits, a pan-African catalyst for digital transformation, brought that vision to life with the third edition of its flagship networking mixer, DICE — Digital Innovation and Creative Excellence. The exclusive, invitation-only mixer pulled together some of the continent’s leading innovators, investors, corporate heavyweights, and policymakers under one roof.

Themed “Scaling Right: From Market Entry to Market Leadership,” DICE 3.0 underscored the critical role of collaboration in positioning Africa as a global leader in innovation and technology. The event featured high-level discussions — including a diplomatic leaders’ panel — and strategic networking opportunities, spotlighting the continent’s potential to drive growth across its markets through robust ecosystems and global partnerships.

Nigeria’s Minister of Trade, Industry, and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, in a fireside conversation with the Founder of Beyond Limits and Convener of DICE, Dr Juliet Ehimuan, reaffirmed the government’s support for Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) and startups, key drivers of economic growth.

We are focused on making Nigeria an attractive destination for investors, and we are working tirelessly to remove any bottlenecks that may hinder investment, she stated.

Highlighting the tech and digital economy sectors as vital enablers, the minister outlined plans to optimize trade policies and leverage the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to boost market scalability, 

Investment retention, trade facilitation and all the granular work it takes to boost the economy are key to scaling the market.  The government will support the tech industry and capital market with great policies because they are enablers. The government is committed to seeing the tech space thrive and making digital public infrastructure work. Dr Oduwole added. 

The event’s Turo247newz.com quickened with an Ecosystem Panel, “Lessons from the Frontline,” moderated by venture builder and operator Adia Sowho. Featuring prominent tech builders such as the CEO of AFEX, Akinyinka Akintunde; Founder and CEO of OmniRetail, Deepankar Rustagi; and Co-Founder and COO of Raenest, Richard Oyome, the discussion was centred around scaling in Africa’s dynamic markets, especially navigating supply chain difficulties to harness tech for growth. 

Another standout feature of DICE 3.0 was the Diplomatic Leaders’ Panel, which offered insights into global ecosystems that have spurred groundbreaking innovations. The panel included Acting Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General, Lagos, JoEllen Gorg; Consul General of Switzerland in Nigeria, Frank Eggmann; and Country Director for Nigeria at the UK Department for Business and Trade, Mark Smithson. 

JoEllen Gorg highlighted the immense opportunities for U.S. companies in Nigeria, emphasizing three key areas of partnership: Agriculture, Digital Economy, and Infrastructure.

We are also keen on connecting people here to business opportunities in the United States,” she remarked. Gorg underscored the U.S. commitment to easing business operations and supporting Nigerian companies eager to collaborate with American counterparts.

The panelists shared actionable strategies for fostering innovation, drawing from their respective countries’ experiences and reinforcing the importance of international collaboration in Africa’s growth trajectory.

Convener of DICE, Dr Juliet Ehimuan, reflected on the event’s mission. The former Google West Africa Director noted,

DICE provides an opportunity to learn from other ecosystems, drive partnerships, and create collaborations. She emphasized the value of global alliances in unlocking investment opportunities, cutting-edge technology solutions, and growth prospects for African businesses.

Ehimuan also commented on emerging business trends, stating, “Every business is now a digital business, with technology permeating every sector,” stressing the urgency for African enterprises to embrace digital transformation to remain competitive on the global stage.

DICE 3.0’s carefully curated format facilitated meaningful interactions among attendees, fostering relationships poised to yield transformative outcomes. The event’s sponsors—Kuramo Capital Management, Leadroitt Realty, and partners including TechCabal, The Guardian Nigeria, BusinessDay, Arise News, Channels Television, and Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort and Conference Center – played a pivotal role in its success, with Jameson Irish Whiskey refreshing guests at the welcome cocktail.

As Africa continues to rise as a hub of innovation and opportunity, DICE stands out as a vital platform in connecting the continent’s tech, business, and creative ecosystems with the global community. For more updates, questions or inquiries, contact @beyondlimits on social media or visit beyondlimits.global/.

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